Designed as part of the annual national LGBT+ History Month badge competition for lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk

LGBT+ History Month is celebrated in schools, Universities, workplaces and communities all across the UK every February. Launched in 2004, LGBT+ History Month holds space for claiming the past, celebrating the present and creating futures. 

As part of our series of posts celebrating LGBT+ History Month 2023, we highlight some University of Sussex LGBT+ History Month Events past and present.   

Upcoming Events at Sussex – Taking place this February

The University of Sussex Students’ Union is organising a series of events for LGBT+ History month.  

These events are open to staff and students.  

Sussex Pride Walk
21^st February 14:30 at University of Sussex
Open to Sussex Staff and Students. Come and show your solidarity.  

LGBTQ+ Art Exhibition
21^st February 15:30-17:30 at Northfield Bar
To celebrate and take joy in LGBTQ+ work, Northfield Bar will have its own queer art exhibition! If you are an LGBTQ+ artist, please contact lgbtqstudents@sussexstudent.com by February 14^th if you would like to display your art in the exhibition. 

Sussex LGBTQ+ History: A Look at Queer Archives
21^st February 15:30-17:30 at Northfield Bar
Join us at Northfield bar, along with our LGBTQ+ art exhibition to delve into our archives - from newspapers to magazines, photos to personal accounts. 

Cultural Cabaret
21^st February 18:30 at Falmer House
Presented by the Culture and Liberation Network at the Student Union, we welcome you to showcase your cultural talent on this night full of good vibes and free food, hosted by our resident drag queen! 

Schools and departments across the University are creating information articles and organising events. 

The School of Psychology LGBTQ+ Event
17^th February 12:00 – 15:00 at Bridge Cafe, Pevensey Building
The School of Psychology is hosting its annual LGBTQ+ event for LGBTQ+ History Month. Staff and students welcome!
"Psychology staff and students are welcome to come celebrate our annual LGBTQ+ history month event, with a team quiz challenge, games and refreshments.”

If you are organising an LGBT+ History Month event or activity in your school or department that you would like us to publicise through the EDI web pages please email edi.unit@sussex.ac.uk. 

Looking to the Past – Sussex articles and resources

The theme of this year’s LGBT+ History Month is ‘Behind the Lens’, which invites us to ‘look ‘Behind the Lens’ and listen to LGBT+ peoples lived experiences.  

To mark this, we have compiled a selection of articles and resources relating to LGBT+ History at Sussex, including records of past LGBT+ History Month events at Sussex. 

What’s in a name: The politics of queer on campus
By Kate O’Riordan and Sharon Webb, University of Sussex (2020).
A paper which draws upon oral history interviews and archival work carried out to examine the history of the LGBTQ+ student society at the University of Sussex.  

Rainbow Laces and Safe Spaces!
By the Centre for Higher Education and Equity Research – CHEER (2020).
A panel event, hosted at the University of Sussex, which explored ‘queer eyes on absences, erasures and distortions in Higher Education.’ 

Section 28 Today: University of Sussex
By the School of Media, Arts and Humanities, University of Sussex (2021).
A recent article advertising an exhibition of a previous show organised in 2018 by students in the MA module Art History’s Queer Stories and staff in the then School of History, Art History and Philosophy. The title of the show was What Section 28 Did To Me.  

Queory Archive
By the Centre for Sexual Dissidence
An archive of events, talks, resources and research that took place within the Centre for Sexual Dissidence between 1991 and 2019. Includes a Reading Group Archive, Film Club Archive and Collaborations Archive.   

LGBT+ History Resources in Brighton & Hove 

Organisations across Brighton & Hove are celebrating LGBT+ History Month.

Here are a few local events taking place:

Identity Project Exhibition - Portrait of a Community exhibition
Jubilee Library, Brighton. 6^th-26^th February. 

Brighton and Hove Council are also advertising a number of other exhibitions and events for LGBT+ History Month 2023. These include a Portraits of Wisdom photography exhibition in partnership with the Ledward Centre, a film screening, an LGBTQI+ History Club event, and an Early Childhood play event for families.  

The Keep is another local resource, which includes projects highlighting LGBT+ History. LGBT+ History Archives at The Keep 

Throughout February, the EDI Unit is sharing a series of articles about projects and initiatives relating to LGBT+ inclusion and events taking place for LGBT+ History Month. 

Read more about how Sussex is marking LGBT+ History Month 2023 in last week’s LGBT+ History Month article.   

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